[Guruvayur/Guruvayoor] Sree krishna lifting moutain with his little finger

[Guest guest]

Dear Satya and others,

Radhe Krishna!

It is nowhere said in Bhagavatam or Narayaneeyan that Bhagavan

Srikrishna lifted the Govardhana mountain using His little finger. May

be some other puranams have to be thoroughly examined to find out

whether He used the little finger. But I remember having seen in the

" Krishna " serial on the TV that the little finger was used. Probably the

TV makers might have found it somewhere that way.

 

Anyway, I shall narrate the circumstances under which He lifted the

Govardhana mountan and held it aloft for full seven days to protect the

inhabitants of Gokulam and the cowherds and cows from the incessant

rains the village was subjected to, by the wrath of Indra who was denied

His dues.

 

The Lord’s lifting of the Govardhanamountain and holding it high sportively on

the tender palm of His left hand

giving protection to the inhabitants of Gokulam from the havoc of

torrentialrains unleashed by Indra, forms one of the major super-human exploits

in the

Krishna incarnation. Every act of theLord has a purpose behind it. In this

case, the purpose was to curb the arrogance of Indra. He curbed it by stopping

the sacrifice which was about to be

offered to him and infuriating him.

 

One day, Sri Krishna observed Nanda and other Gopas engaged in

collecting articles required for conducting the annual yajna for Indra.

He, the omniscient one, was only too well aware of the reason for such

preparations! However, feigning ignorance, and intending to destroy

Indra’s pride, He asked Nanda in all humility and politeness, in the

presence of other Gopas: ‘O Father! What for are you all engaged in

these busy preparations?’

 

It should be understood that the Lord had only intended to subdue

Indra’s pride, He had no intention to hinder the course of Karma.

Therefore, these words, though seemingly opposed to the tenets of

scriptures, should not be understood literally.

 

Nandagopa replied thus to the omniscient Lord: “O son! All necessities

of life (vegetables, etc.,) for men depend on rain for their sustenance.

Especially so for us. For, our cows-- our entire wealth-- depend for

their very lives on grass and water. It is thus clear that rain is

indispensable for us and the cows which are our livelihood. This rain,

which brings happiness to all in the world, occurs in time, year after

year, thanks to Indra’s grace. It is, therefore, necessary that every

year, we conduct gratefully and humbly, a sacrifice for Indra who is

unrivalled in power. The time for this year’s sacrifice has arrived. It

is the preparation for that, that we are now happily engaged in.

 

" Foster the Gods through this sacrifice; and let the Gods be gracious to

foster us. Each fostering the other disinterestedly, you will attain the

highest good. (Gita) Men should propitiate God by offerings of oblations

in Yajnas. And Gods should bless men by timely rain, etc. By such

exchanges, they become mutually supportive and considerate. If men

become indifferent to Yajnas and the like, they will become sinners or

thieves. He who enjoys all the gifts bestowed on him without giving

gifts in return, is surely a thief). So, everyone should perform the

Yajna and suchlike rites as enjoined in the scriptures.”

 

 

Krishna, on hearing father Nanda’s reply, refuting his statement,

did say with reasoning, but in a pleasing manner, ‘Alas! What a

blind belief is this? I do not accept it. It is not true that

Indra causes rain to fall. Rain falls or fails to fall depending

upon the good and bad deeds of living beings.

 

‘For the past actions, the latent effects of which are referred to as

/Apurva/ or /adrishta/, which make themselves evident only in course of

time, although one cannot attribute a causation to them, they are

related to the Atman as precursors in determining the next

transmigratory cycle of the Jiva and the nature of the being it is to be

born as. These latent effects are, indeed, directly responsible for the

pleasure and pain the being experiences. Thus, */a being is born by

force of Karma (past actions), by force of Karma alone, it dies, and by

force of Karma alone, it experiences pleasure and pain, is subject to

fear, and enjoys security./* Therefore, to accept the theory that there

is a deity called ‘Indra’ as the giver of rain is just a delusion. Or,

even if such a theory is accepted, such a deity can never do anything to

us. Just to keep you happy, let us assume the presence of such a deity.

But how did he attain such a place of superiority and splendour? It can

only be said that this particular Jiva, the incumbent of that position,

has attained that state by virtue of its past actions. If so, it follows

that Indra, too, is subject to Karma. Even if such a Jiva, subject to

Karma, attains divinity, how can it be capable of blessing and

inflicting punishment based on its own whims and fancies? If such great

powers can be vested in a Jiva, is it not quite possible that we, too,

by observance of such karmic austerities, attain the state of Indra and

freely exercise these powers to realize our desires ? To think of it, it

is wrong to say that ‘if Indra pleases, it rains; otherwise, no.’ The

trees of the great forest do not offer sacrifices to Indra, but still

enjoy the benefits of good rain! Therefore, to say that ‘ it will rain

only if sacrifice to Indra is performed and if he is propitiated’, is

the height of ignorance. Therefore, O dear Father, well-versed in

worldly affairs! It is useless to spend all our hard-earned resources,

the fruits of our life’s efforts, for this sacrifice to Indra. I request

you and the other Gopas to understand this and desist from such an

activity.’ ”

 

The propriety of the Lord’s action in dissuading the Gopas from

performing the sacrifice to Indra, who has been acclaimed as the

presiding deity for rain in all the scriptures including the Srutis,

deserves much more elaboration. Those who are really interested in this

may kindly refer to Kumarila Bhatta’s “Tantra-vartikam”.

 

O Father! Your statement that cows are our clan’s wealth is certainly

true. Hence, it is our responsibility to protect them. However, this

offering or sacrifice meant for securing plentiful supplies of grass and

water, so necessary for the cows, would be more appropriate, if made to

the Govardhana mountain, which is the real source of those necessities.

Moreover, Brahmanas propitiate Devas by offering to the sacred fire

oblations of ‘havis’ (cooked rice) sanctified by chanting of Mantras

(Vedic hymns) which have the power to turn the oblations into Amritam

(nectar)! Those Brahmanas are verily greater than the Devas themselves! ”

 

" The whole universe is under the control of God; Godhead is dependent on

Mantras; those mantras are under the control of Brahmanas; Brahmanas are

my Gods. " In accordance with these words of the Lord, Brahmanas who are

worthy of worship even by God are verily greater than all. Hence we

should worship them also.” “Adrishtam” or the unseen results of our own

actions is the cause for the good and bad that befall us. That fate or

outcome arises out of ordained duties. Therefore, it is essential that

we perform Yagas and other rites. it is inappropriate to perform these

rites for the invisible Indra, the object of mere beliefs, ignoring the

visible God, the Govardhana mountain and the revered Brahmanas.’ Krishna

did tell His kinsmen and Nanda.

 

 

 

Listening to the logical exposition which, though not approved by

sastraic doctrines, was convincing to the Gopas, they commenced a Yaga

to the Govardhana mountain with greater attention, making use of the

articles collected for the Indra Yaga. To begin with, they offered

sweets and gifts to the great Brahmanas who then commenced the rites.

Then many great sacrificial articles were offered as food to the

Govardhana mountain. Circumambulating the mountain and the Brahmanas

respectfully, the Gopas prostrated before them. With a view to making

the Gopas happy and their belief firm, Krishna Himself assumed the form

of the deity of the mountain, accepted, and ate all the articles of

offering in their very presence.

 

‘Indra is of no consequence. It is this Govardhana mountain that is

protecting us and our cattle. Is it not true, therefore, that this

mountain, as I said, is our clan’s God ? Did not all of You see the

mountain consuming in person, all the articles offered to it as

sacrificial oblation ? Discarding the food available at hand, the fool

goes a-begging. Following this dictum, why should one serve the

invisible Indra disregarding the mountain, our visible God? Even if

Indra, angered by the stoppage of his worship, were to come to harass

us, this mountain is capable of protecting us. That it is consuming all

our offerings is proof enough to dispel all our doubts in the matter.’

Hearing these words of Yours, the Gopas became very happy; and thus

reassured, they attained a sense of fulfilment which was much more than

what they used to get in previous years by performance of the Yaga to

Indra.”

 

The Gopas performed the Yaga properly according to Krishna's

instructions. Led by Krishna, they happily returned to Gokulam.

Meanwhile, Indra came to know that the sacrifice due to him had been

stopped at Krishna's bidding and that the sacrificial oblation had been

offered to the Govardhana mountain. Though aware that he owed his

exalted position to Krishna's limitless grace alone, and that Krishna

was Narayana who had incarnated on Earth to destroy Asuras like Kamsa

and protect the three worlds, he was blinded by his anger due to the

stoppage of the offering that was his due. He lost his head and dared to

confront Krishna and succeed, and thereby establish for all time, his

power of protection and destruction. Alas! Who will not wonder at the

inability of the thousand eyed God to see (reason) ?”

 

‘Even Vishnu, destroyer of demons, generates disrespect towards the

Devas when he assumes human form. What, then, will be the position of

Devas? It is risky not to adopt appropriate punitive measures now

itself. Therefore, I shall destroy all the wealth of that lowly cowherd

and make him taste the fruit of his lack of respect for me.’ It appears

that with this arrogant determination, Indra set out with the (false)

hope of subduing Krishna! Alas! Indra’s prowess before Krishna's

splendour is but like the insolent twinkling of the firefly before the

midday sun!”

 

With a view to destroying Krishna's dwelling place (Gokulam) without

leaving a trace, Indra deployed the well-known clouds,

‘Pushkala-vartakas’ ( name of the cloud producing copious rain) which

are active during the time of Pralaya, the Great Deluge, enveloping the

world in a vast ocean of water.

 

Thereafter, he mounted his vehicle Airavata, the four-tusked

white-coloured elephant, armed with his weapon, the thunderbolt, and set

out arrogantly. Seeing this, Fire, Wind, Varuna and other Gods laughed

inwardly with derision. Alas! The false hope of Indra! Krishna! Master

of the three worlds! Who do not fall prey to His all-conquering Maya

which makes them blind with ignorance and lack of wisdom and leads them

to rash actions ?

 

The above-mentioned steps taken by Indra with a view to destroy the

Gopas in Gokulam, who were being protected by Lord Narayana Himself,

reveal his intolerance of others’ prosperity and his own arrogance. The

rashness and ridiculousness of Indra’s attempt were clear to other Gods

like Agni and Vayu, since they had not fallen prey to Maya. However,

they could not muster the courage to stop their master. They could only

laugh inwardly at the impending destruction of Indra’s arrogance. " Devee

hyesha gunamayee mama Maya duratyaya. Mameva ye prapadyante Mayam etham

taranthi they " Bg: 7/14. (My divine power of Maya, constituted of the

three gunas, is difficult to overcome. Whoever takes refuge in Me in

utter devotion, they alone overcome it.) */If one wishes to overcome the

all-conquering Maya of the Lord, one must seek refuge in the Lord

Himself./* In the present instance, Indra does not only not seek refuge

in the Lord, he does reproach the Lord because of the immaturity of his

intellect. Will Indra escape the consequence of his action ?

 

Hearing the thunder-claps of the gathering dark clouds, the Gopas in

Gokulam thought that it was all the work of Indra who was desirous of

revenge. They sought refuge in Krishna saying, ‘ Krishna! What is to be

done now?’ Krishna replied, ‘ O Inhabitants of Gokulam! It does not

matter even if all this is due to Indra’s anger. You have done your duty

by offering gifts to Brahmanas and oblations to your protector, the

Govardhana mountain. Since we have the blessings of the Brahmanas who

are satisfied by our worship and the compassion of the mountain which is

very happy having accepted our oblations, we have nothing to fear. This

is for certain.’ Krishna repeatedly pacified the Gopas thus. And You did

think ‘Why is it that Indra has not turned up as yet ?’, focusing Your

mind on destroying Indra’s conceit.

 

 

When Krishna was thinking as to why Indra, set on avenging the stoppage

of the sacrifice that was his due, had not arrived yet (as You thought

he would), the sky above Gokulam, at that very time, shook the quarters

and reverberated with increasing and continuous peals of thunderbolts.

With the massive dark clouds that had gathered, resembling Your body in

their brilliant blue hue, it looked as though the time of the Great

Deluge had arrived. Krishna did verily look at the clouds with His blue

eyes!”

 

It began to rain in torrents. And big hailstones fell with the rain. The

sky was dark and enveloped all directions in darkness. Thunderbolts

shook all quarters and beings everywhere. The Gopas (and cows),

distressed at this, cried out, ‘Protect us from this deluge (rain) of

the angry Indra.’ Krishna, of invincible glory, casting glances,

suffused with compassion, at them said ‘You need not fear!’ ”

 

Off season rains are usually accompanied by hail. When that is so, how

is one to describe the fearsome fury of deluge-like clouds raining in

torrents?

 

 

‘You have nothing to fear!’ Thus did Krishna tell the Gopas and add with

a gentle smile, ‘It is the Govardhana mountain that is our clan’s deity.

It will arrest and stop the trouble caused by Indra and will certainly

protect us. Why are You so doubtful about this?’ Thereafter, Krishna,

the protector of Gopas, speedily uprooted the Govardhana mountain with

His tender hands. That display of His strength, albeit He being

all-powerful, was indeed a wonder to the entire world.”

 

Sri Krishna was smiling all this while to show that He had no difficulty

in protecting his frightened clansmen from the danger posed by Indra and

that Indra’s conceit and arrogance were of no consequence to Him.

 

“Thus did Krishna uproot the Govardhana mountain and hold it aloft like

an umbrella and in a place on the ground beneath it, unaffected by rain,

He did gather the Gopas and their cows and their belongings such that

they continued to be comfortable as before.

 

" O Lord! What a big load did Your divine hand, soft and beautiful like a

lotus flower, lift and hold up, like a play-ball for the sake of

protection of those who sought refuge in You! Is there any doubt whether

the arrogance and pride of Indra, the enemy of mountains, can ever stand

in front of the prowess of Your hand which had extracted along with its

very roots and held aloft for full seven days, the mountain of Govardhana?”

 

(Courtesy: Narayaneeyam Bhaktaranjini Commentary.)

 

Access website www.narayaneeyam.com for all details of the book.

 

Regards

 

K.V. Gopalakrishna

 

 

 

 

Satya Sreenivasa Rao Ramisetty wrote:

 

>Dear All,

>Can someone give me more info of significance of Bhagwan Sree Krishna saving

the village people by lifting the mountain with his little finger when there was

a heavy rain. Also I know that there is some importance with this little finger

when there are other fingers to say ring finger or so on.

>I would be delighted if someone throw more light on this.Om Namo Narayanaya

>

>Sreenivas

>

>

>_______________

>Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE!

>http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/

>

>

[Guest guest]

!! Sri Rama Jayam !!

 

Dear Sreenivas ji,

 

Shri Krishna lifting 'Govardhanam' deserves a special mention in Srimad

Bhagavattam. This event has manifold dimensions. In addition to being one of the

'Aishwarya Leela' of Sri Guruvayurappan, it stands as a beacon light of

spiritual advancement in human life striving to be freed from the chains of

stagnated social traditions. Krishna provided a new vision to the human society

by enacting this drama. The term 'Govardhanam' in itself has a meaning related

to Dharma. 'Go' in its simplistic sense means cow - the personified 'Dharma'

(with all 33 crore godly personalities seated inside) and 'Vardhanam' means

multiplication, that is, a mountain which is addressed as the very cause of

cattle well-being & growth, the major source of income for the residers of

Gokulam. It was traditional for them to observe fastings every year to please

Indra - the god of rains. Interesting to note is that most of the people

conducted such rituals without knowing the true purport of performing so. This

includes even Nanda, the learned & leading person of Gokulam. People ascertained

that if not such rituals are done timely, it will lead to catastrophic outcome

to the whole land. Bhagavattam does not mention when & where this ritual had

started. Krishna never wanted his best people to be carried away by false or

blind beliefs. Lord did not hit hard on the existing beliefs. Through his other

major leelas like the slaying of Putana, Bakasura etc. he tried to indicate his

fellow people that there is a power existing beyond the terrestrial capacity who

continues to control the balance of mother nature & thereby the nature-guiding

laws, and now the time has come that these people shud understand the same &

accept it's shelter. Perhaps 'Govardhana' leela was the best opportunity for

Krishna to manifest his supreme divinity. Krishna (with Balarama) persuaded the

people to discontinue these rituals. But that was not an easy job !. The angry

Indra (out of Rajasik effect) under-estimated Lord's supreme energy & showered

continuous rains over Gokul. Unable to withstand the heavy downpouring, people

took shelter of Krishna & Balarama - and eventually Krishna lifted Govardhanam

by his little finger. Lifting the mount just by his little finger was an open

alert call to Indra & at the same time a message to his devotees that what so

ever be the catastrophe, Lord will remove it just by his little finger.

 

Replacing Indrapuja with Govardhanapuja implies the convergence of half-truth

with the total one. Just like sprinkling water on leaves or stem alone will not

gaurantee the proper growth of a plant (instead watering the root alone becomes

enough), very similarly a devotion under the guidance of half-belief will not

lead us to the supreme. Realizing & practising the truth that 'Krishna is

all-supreme and the only basis' will only save us.

 

Hare Krishna

Hare Rama

 

 

 

 

guruvayur [guruvayur ]On Behalf Of

Satya Sreenivasa Rao Ramisetty

Sunday, June 11, 2006 2:12 AM

guruvayur

[Guruvayur/Guruvayoor] Sree krishna lifting moutain with his little

finger

 

 

 

Dear All,

Can someone give me more info of significance of Bhagwan Sree Krishna saving the

village people by lifting the mountain with his little finger when there was a

heavy rain. Also I know that there is some importance with this little finger

when there are other fingers to say ring finger or so on.

I would be delighted if someone throw more light on this.Om Namo Narayanaya

 

Sreenivas

 

________

Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE!

http://messenger.

<http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/>

msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/

 

 

[Guest guest]

Dear Sri Vinod,

Very well said.

 

This Govardhan leela, simply put, proves the Supremacy

and the in-fallible nature of Bhagavan Sri Krishna

over any other diety/personality/king (with all due

respects).

 

Point to understand when he defeats Indra's pride:

Supremacy

Ch9. TEXT24

aham hi sarva-yajnanam

bhokta ca prabhur eva ca

na tu mam abhijananti

tattvenatas cyavanti te

 

I am the only enjoyer and the only object of

sacrifice. Those who do not recognize My true

transcendental nature fall down.

 

 

Point to understand when he rescues His devotees:

Infallible

Ch9. TEXT31

kaunteya pratijanihi

na me bhakta pranashyati

 

O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee

never perishes.

 

Hare Krishna

Abhilash

 

 

--- " PS, Vinod K (GE Infra, Energy) " <vinod.ps

wrote:

 

> !! Sri Rama Jayam !!

>

> Dear Sreenivas ji,

>

> Shri Krishna lifting 'Govardhanam' deserves a

> special mention in Srimad Bhagavattam. This event

> has manifold dimensions. In addition to being one of

> the 'Aishwarya Leela' of Sri Guruvayurappan, it

> stands as a beacon light of spiritual advancement in

> human life striving to be freed from the chains of

> stagnated social traditions. Krishna provided a new

> vision to the human society by enacting this drama.

> The term 'Govardhanam' in itself has a meaning

> related to Dharma. 'Go' in its simplistic sense

> means cow - the personified 'Dharma' (with all 33

> crore godly personalities seated inside) and

> 'Vardhanam' means multiplication, that is, a

> mountain which is addressed as the very cause of

> cattle well-being & growth, the major source of

> income for the residers of Gokulam. It was

> traditional for them to observe fastings every year

> to please Indra - the god of rains. Interesting to

> note is that most of the people conducted such

> rituals without knowing the true purport of

> performing so. This includes even Nanda, the learned

> & leading person of Gokulam. People ascertained that

> if not such rituals are done timely, it will lead to

> catastrophic outcome to the whole land. Bhagavattam

> does not mention when & where this ritual had

> started. Krishna never wanted his best people to be

> carried away by false or blind beliefs. Lord did not

> hit hard on the existing beliefs. Through his other

> major leelas like the slaying of Putana, Bakasura

> etc. he tried to indicate his fellow people that

> there is a power existing beyond the terrestrial

> capacity who continues to control the balance of

> mother nature & thereby the nature-guiding laws, and

> now the time has come that these people shud

> understand the same & accept it's shelter. Perhaps

> 'Govardhana' leela was the best opportunity for

> Krishna to manifest his supreme divinity. Krishna

> (with Balarama) persuaded the people to discontinue

> these rituals. But that was not an easy job !. The

> angry Indra (out of Rajasik effect) under-estimated

> Lord's supreme energy & showered continuous rains

> over Gokul. Unable to withstand the heavy

> downpouring, people took shelter of Krishna &

> Balarama - and eventually Krishna lifted Govardhanam

> by his little finger. Lifting the mount just by his

> little finger was an open alert call to Indra & at

> the same time a message to his devotees that what so

> ever be the catastrophe, Lord will remove it just by

> his little finger.

>

> Replacing Indrapuja with Govardhanapuja implies the

> convergence of half-truth with the total one. Just

> like sprinkling water on leaves or stem alone will

> not gaurantee the proper growth of a plant (instead

> watering the root alone becomes enough), very

> similarly a devotion under the guidance of

> half-belief will not lead us to the supreme.

> Realizing & practising the truth that 'Krishna is

> all-supreme and the only basis' will only save us.

>

> Hare Krishna

> Hare Rama

>

>

>

>

> guruvayur

> [guruvayur ]On Behalf Of Satya

> Sreenivasa Rao Ramisetty

> Sunday, June 11, 2006 2:12 AM

> guruvayur

> [Guruvayur/Guruvayoor] Sree krishna lifting

> moutain with his little finger

>

>

>

> Dear All,

> Can someone give me more info of significance of

> Bhagwan Sree Krishna saving the village people by

> lifting the mountain with his little finger when

> there was a heavy rain. Also I know that there is

> some importance with this little finger when there

> are other fingers to say ring finger or so on.

> I would be delighted if someone throw more light on

> this.Om Namo Narayanaya

>

> Sreenivas

>

>

________

> Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger!

> Download today it's FREE!

> http://messenger.

>

<http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/>

> msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

[Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

>

>